Sprint Nextel was the first nationwide carrier to launch 4G Wimax technology -- going live in Baltimore in late 2008. Iyad Tarazi, vice president of network development, talked to SearchTelecom about Sprint's 2010 plans for Wimax.
What is Sprint expecting to accomplish with 4G Wimax technology by the end of the year?
Tarazi: We've announced that we're going to pursue 120 million [potential subscribers] covered by Wimax. We exited last year right around 35 million covered, and we continue to build out more markets with the Clearwire team…. We have maintained higher [average] speeds [on] the [Wimax] network than 3G, and we want to maintain the speed and performance of the network. [We are] continuing to improve the network. We've launched and we will launch additional devices that will work on 4G, [which can] also interoperate with 3G networks.
Why did Sprint choose 4G Wimax technology over Long-Term Evolution (LTE)?
Tarazi: It wasn't as big a decision criterion as it might seem. At the time when we started … the only technology that was available was Wimax, and it was well-suited for the spectrum that we have. The spectrum that we have can support multiple technologies, but it also can support TDD [time division duplexing] technologies.… We also had some strategic partners that were very interested in helping us … including people like Intel and Google. It was the right decision at the right time, and the technology so far has met all our expectations in terms of speed, efficiency, cost structure and maturity.… It wasn't really a big decision at the time.
If LTE had been further along at the time, would you have chosen it instead?
Tarazi: I don't know. That's a bit too hypothetical. I can't answer that.
With most other major carriers gunning for LTE, how does Sprint expect to compete?
Tarazi: In essence, there's very little difference between Wimax and LTE in terms of the way the technology is constructed, the way the technology uses the spectrum and the performance expectations of the network. From a pure network perspective, you're able to use both technologies to create the speeds and the capabilities customers are looking for. That is especially true when you look at multi-modal devices, which is most of what you see right now. People are looking for better coverage, quality and reliability of a nationwide 3G [network]…. As we approach over time … a world that's dominated by only 4G technology … then I think it would begin to become a differentiator…. So far, Wimax continues to have a robust and healthy ecosystem.